BaFin and consumer protection

Collective consumer protection is one of BaFin's core tasks. However, BaFin is not the only institution helping to protect consumers and safeguard the financial market. We will explain what BaFin does, what the limits of its work are and which other institutions you should know about here.

How does BaFin help con­sumers?

BaFin is responsible for the protection of consumers as a whole in the field of financial services. In the interest of all consumers, BaFin, for example, supervises the various financial institutions, ensuring their stability and the integrity of the financial system as a whole. BaFin pursues irregularities in the supervised companies and offers a whole range of tips and tools for consumers.

What doesn't BaFin do?

BaFin supervises banks and financial services providers, private insurance undertakings and securities trading. BaFin is also responsible for collective consumer protection in these areas. However, there are legal limitations to the extent to which BaFin is allowed to assist customers. Find out the topics and queries with which BaFin will not be able to help and who to contact instead here.

How is BaFin fund­ed?

BaFin must cover its expenditure entirely out of its own income. It receives no funding from the Federal budget. BaFin raises the funds required to cover its costs from the undertakings it supervises instead. The legal foundation for this is the Act Establishing the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanzdienstleistungsaufsichtsgesetz – FinDAG).